Connecticut western news., 1887-10-05
~46th. ANNUAL CATTLE SHO "

The 46th annual cattle show and fair of the Housatonic Agricultural society, at Great Burlington, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week, was a we'll attended and successful exhibi- ton. The weather being pleasant the first day, there was larger attendance than usual, and the truth of the matter is, majority of our better class of farmers in Southern Berkshire, and no doubt farther away, have for some time regarded the first day of the fair as the very best day of all, from an agricultu- ral standpoint. The first day also attracts those farmers who believe our agricultural fairs are running too much to fancy horses and horse races. Again another advantage derived by the far mer ill attending the first day Is that the first day is the cattle show, when the oxen, COWS. sheep and swine, which are the real wealth of the farm are exhibited
 As has already been stated in the above introduction, Wednesday was almost entirely devoted to the exhibi- tion of all domestic animals except horses. In some of the divisions the number of entries or exhibitors was not up to the entries of the previous year, while in other divisions greater num- Der of animals were exhibited, which made up the deficiency, and taken as whole the display of cattle, sheep and swine was about the same as last year. It is a fact worthy of special notice that the Housatonic society excells nearly all county societies in Massachusetts in the exhibition of sheep of all leading grades comprising long wool, Southdowns, Hampshires, Merinos and fat sheep. It is said that the New England fair can- not compare with the Housatonic in the exhibition of sheep, and if the ancient proverb is true, as the Spaniards say, that "sheep walk with golden feet," then the farms of Berkshire, where sheep thrive so we'll, ought to become so fertile that gold will flow into the farmers pocket. There were at this great exhibition 112 entries, embracing 400 sheep, and these came from the towns of Monterey, Sheffield, Great Harrington, Egremont, Afford and West Stockbridge.
 Another noted and unexpected fea- ture of cattle show day was the fine exhibition of Devonshire cattle from the fertile farms of George H Wheeler, of Monterey and D w Merrifeld, of Sheffield It is stated that this was the first time that pure blood Devon cattle were ever exhibited on the grounds of the Housatonic society, though in the agricultural meetings the Devons had their advocates some years ago. MT Wheeler has had this breed over year and is we'll pleased with them. The Durhams, Jerseys, Ayrshires, Holsteins and Guernseys were also we'll represen- ted. Frederick Abbey, of Ct Barring ton, and w s Wilcox, of Sheffield, exhi- bited Durham, or Short Horn herds. Jersey herds, of not less than four in number, were shown by J M Mackie of Ct Burlington and E M Langdon of Lee Ayrshires by T l. Foote of Lee and W I Walker of Ct Harrington :; Holsteins by Alonzo Bradley of Lee j; Guernseys by l. V N Blakeman of Eger- mont and M Wheeler of Ct Barring | ton. There were also several other | exhibitors from various towns, of COWS, | bulls, heifers and calves, representing | all the above breeds. Another thing worthy of mention is the fact that the OK, one of the most docile and noble of all animals, and far superior to the horse in patience and safety, is not yet extinct in Berkshire county. Including steers of various ages, there were about 40 entries in this department, and 1t was to be observed that those farmers who keep and prize the Durham stock also value the OK, and are always on hand with fine Yokes of these noble animals. $ It is to be regretted that | there are not more entries of steers trained. by boys, but the truth Is there are far too many boys at the present day who prefer to make third or fourth rate lawyers or doctors, or loaf around the street corners smoking cigaretts, than there are boys who are willing to train steers and oxen. However there were two entries, and of these only DeLoss Sweet a farmer boy of Tyring- ham, appeared on the track with his beautiful little yoke of trained steers and after showing how we'll his pets were trained, he justly received the first premium. Tne display of poultry was was greater than ever, there being about 200 cages, or 500 fowls, of all breeds, and of these the leading exhibitors were Lester B Gum of Lanesboro, and Smith & Walker, of Lee. The swine, comprising Chester, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Essex, Berkshires and grades, attracted much attention by even the ladies, who per haps prefer some pork and not all chicken and turkey, when the cold winter days begin
 Thursday, the second day of the great exhibition, was horse day, until afternoon, when it developed into horse race day. In some of the departments the number of entries were small in others large. Of mares and colts the display was really an excellent one The noted brood mare "Ora," owned by A. H. Stickles, of West Stock bridge, attracted much attention, and received the first premium, as having the best colt, got by Wilkes Spirit, Jr., and pro- nounced by horsemen the best 49 months old colt they ever saw. This Colt is valued at $500 and $2OO has been offered for 1t. The pedigree of Ora may be found in Wallace American trotting register, Vol 9th. The noted stallion, Wilkes Spirit, Jr., owned by W. H. Palmer, of Afford, was exhibited at 2:3O D. m. on the lawn and track, and was awarded the first premium, of $15. This noble animal was also conspicuous in the horse trots.
 Our reporter furnishes us with full and complete report of the fair, but owing to lack of space we are obliged to defer part of it till next week.-EDl
 ReneWs Her Youth.
 Mrs Phoebe Chesley, Paterson, Clay Co.,, Iowa, tells the following remark able story, the truth of which is vouch- ed for by residents of the town ."I am 73 years old, have been troubled with kidney complaint and lameness for 1 many years :: could not dress myself